CLIFTON HEIGHTS -- Retired U.S. Army Captain Shannon Meehan announced his candidacy as a Democrat in the 163rd Legislative District Tuesday night at American Legion Post No. 358.

Meehan, 27, of Secane, candidly told the packed house of fellow Democrats and veterans that he didn't really know what he should talk about when he took the stage. Probably his desire to lower property taxes, or improve veterans affairs, or boost job creation, he said.

"Even though these are plans that I have, and they may not be fully articulated at this point, I'm sure I can conjure up some quick phrases on them each, some nice little bullet points that may look good in sound bites for the newspapers tomorrow if I stood up here and said it with confidence and certainty," said Meehan. "But I can't. I can't do that. And I can't stand up here and pretend that I have all the answers, because I know I don't. I can't pretend I can exact a plan to fix all of our struggles. The best I can do is show you who I am, exactly, and show you the man that I have become, honestly."

Advertisement

To illustrate that, Meehan recounted his life in Delaware County, where he was a four-year varsity wrestler at Upper Darby High School and was named All-Delco three times.

He also talked about attending Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated with distinction, and studying abroad at Oxford.

Meehan, who led a tank platoon for the 1st Cavalry Division of the U. S. Army, additionally discussed some of the operations he oversaw in the Diyala Province of Iraq.

During his 15-month deployment, Meehan said his platoon embraced a policy of helping people in addition to thwarting an enemy.

The result was more than $800,000 spent on infrastructure improvements like water filtration and school buildings, said Meehan, as well as the capture of more than 80 enemy insurgents and corrupt officials.

But that deployment was cut short in September 2007 by an improvised explosive device (IED) that left Meehan with a Traumatic Brain Injury and nerve damage to his back.

He later wrote about his deployment and the complicated emotional aftershocks of war in the book, "Beyond Duty," which centered on a mortar strike he ordered that resulted in the unintentional deaths of an Iraqi family.

Meehan received the Purple Heart for his injuries. He also received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation of Valor and the Army Achievement Medal for his service.

Meehan told the audience Tuesday about his hospital stay and the revelations it heralded. He said the joy he had taken in improving the lives of Iraqis was replaced with unfulfillment as he acknowledged his service to his country had come to an end.

Meehan said that feeling stayed with him until he finally realized something: "That I'm not done yet.

"My service does not have to end there," he said. "I can continue, and I will continue, to serve. ... This is my vocation now. It always has been to serve, and this is why my journey has landed me here, back home, so I can continue my service here for you."

Meehan faces 32-year incumbent state Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163, of Upper Darby, who also announced his bid for re-election Monday.

The 163rd District includes portions of Upper Darby, Darby and Ridley townships, as well as the boroughs of Aldan, Clifton Heights, and Lansdowne.